Michel Benoit Yop

Michel Benoit Yop, age 66 of Mattoon, IL peacefully passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. A funeral service in his honor will be held at 11:30 AM, Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Salem Baptist Church, 500 E. Parks Street, Champaign, IL 61820. Dr. Jerry L. Wilson will officiate. The visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at the church. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938, is in charge of services. Michel was born on February 23, 1958, in Makak, the center region of Cameroon, to the late Benoit and Rose Ngo (Lindjeck) Yob. He married Christie Lynnette McCray on June 20, 2000, in Champaign, IL at Salem Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of twenty-four years, Christie McCray-Yop, she resides in Mattoon, IL; son, Rodge McCray-Kyse of Mattoon, IL; three grandchildren, Lila Autumn, Sier Jauvar, Amiah Kay McCray, all of Mattoon, IL; two brothers, Andre Benoit Yob, Marcellin Yob of Makak, Cameroon; one sister, Julienne Marthe Ngo Yob of Makak, Cameroon; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Simon and Benoit Yob. Michel retired from Christensen Farms as Manager within the swine industry. He was a member of the Second Missionary Baptist Church in Mattoon, IL where he served as a deacon for over twenty years and participated Men in Conversation. Michel enjoyed being out in nature, traveling with his wife, visiting the ill, fishing, watching and playing football (soccer) and volunteering at Camp New Hope. He was a man of many accomplishments and valued the importance of education. He studied Catholic Priesthood at the University of Strasborg in France, eventually teaching at missionary schools. Michel was part of the Frères Maristes-Maison Pardis located in Canada. He attended the Université Laval in Québec, Canada where he received his Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Agriculture and Economics. He lived in the United States of America, Canada, Europe, and Rwanda. Throughout his childhood and travels, Michel learned to speak ten languages. His native languages were Bassa, Bulu, Ewondo, Eton, and Lingala; but also spoke French, Latin, Italian, Swahili and English. Michel proved himself to be a man of great faith and strength. His favorite scripture was Psalms 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepard; I shall not want…” He leaves an everlasting impact on so many individuals throughout the world. He will be forever cherished. Memorials in his honor may be made to St. Louis Hope Lodge, 4207 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108 or Siteman Cancer Institute, 4500 Forest Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with the family.

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Michel Benoit Yop

February 23, 1958 - October 12, 2024